| The uncertainty experienced during an illness event is a complex phenomenon. Increasingly, scholars such as Brashers, Neidig, Haas, Dobbs, Cardillo, & Russell (2000) have put forward a relatively new theoretical approach to help us further understand uncertainty: Uncertainty Management Theory (UMT) holds that rather than outright reducing illness-related uncertainty, individuals will attempt to manage uncertainty by reducing, increasing, or sustaining it, depending on how they appraise the uncertainty (danger or opportunity). Because this theory has already been used to investigate the illness uncertainty encountered by people with HIV/AIDS, UMT may prove useful when applied to other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Further, because of the stigma associated with STDs, this study focused on women's online disclosures about their illness experiences, given that online communication can afford anonymity. In particular, a qualitative content analysis approach was used to analyze sample messages (N = 500) from two different Internet discussion forums: the members of one forum posted messages about HSV (herpes), while the others posted about HPV (human papilloma virus). Regarding the experiences of illness uncertainty, sample messages indicated that issues related to danger uncertainty appraisals included: ambiguous symptoms, unclear transmission, and incomplete information. Issues related to opportunity uncertainty appraisals included: alternative treatments, suppressive medications, and the possibility of viral clearance. Moreover, those who posted the sample messages appeared to reduce danger uncertainty and increase or sustain opportunity uncertainty. This project, however, also found evidence that there is a need to extend UMT beyond an illness uncertainty focus. Those facing illness, particularly stigmatizing illnesses, may also experience illness-related relational uncertainty. This project concluded that some of the STD-positive women in this sample experienced uncertainty about: their feelings and behaviors regarding the romantic relationship; their partners' (current or future) feelings and behaviors regarding the relationship; and whether romantic relationships were even possible after a STD-positive diagnosis. Specifically, some women feared having to disclose their STD-positive status to current or future romantic partners. Thus, it seemed that these online disclosures about their STD experience not only allowed them to vent their emotions, tell their stories, and gather information, but these disclosures also may serve as a "warm-up" for face-to-face disclosures. |
